Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Counting the Seconds ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

DISCLAIMER: Are you daft? Me, own Gundam Wing. I repeat: Are you daft?! <I love that word!>

Counting the Seconds

By Scilja

Chapter 8

As they entered through the etched glass doors, an elder man rushed towards them, "Mr. Yuy! I thought that was you I saw from a distance!"

Heero turned to the sound of the voice, "Collington, good evening." He acknowledged the gray-haired man advancing towards them with a tilt of his head.

The man took notice of the woman that stood next to Heero. Grinning, he lifted her hand and kissed it, "And this beautiful young lady you're with must be Ms. Relena Darlian of Dreask, correct?"

Relena laughed at the lighthearted tone the older gentleman had, "Right you are, Mr. -?"

"Ah," he bowed, "Terry Collington, a long time client of yours truly over there," he straightened while gesturing towards Heero. "He's like a nephew to me, actually." Relena smiled at the man's touching statement, and seeing Heero's unruffled self she figured that he was somewhat close to the man as well.

When most wrinkles on a person's face were interpreted as old age, Terry Collington appeared to be aged in wisdom and experience. He was natural and heartfelt; when he laughed, it was out of the depth of his soul. He reminded her of a grandfather, warm like a dear relative. Relena had an immediate liking to him.

Terry wrung his hands together, "Anyway, how is the party? How do you like it? Are you having a good time?"

"He arranged tonight's festivity," Heero explained to her.

She smiled at the man's nervous enthusiasm. Taking a glimpse at Heero, she swore that she saw a faint smile form on his mouth.

"The party is fine. Yes, it's superfluous," Heero assured him.

"And yes, we're having a good time," Relena added.

"In that case," Terry's gray eyes glinted, "Yuy, it's about time you opened your eyes! I thought you would never have had the guts to come through, but I guess you've proved me wrong with this fair flower." He smiled slyly at Relena, who in turn flushed a faint pink.

"Terry!" the sound of a soft smack introduced a middle-aged woman. "Mind your manners! This is what happens when I leave you alone for a while, you start scaring the poor jeebies out of everyone!" When she cast a glance at the young couple in front of her, she brightened, "Heero Yuy! Oh, how delightful!"

"Gael," he replied, bending down so that the woman was able to give him a sincere kiss on the cheek.

Gael then exclaimed happily as she recognized Relena, "Ms. Darlian, you look stunning!"

She, too, received a light kiss from the lively woman. "Call me Relena, please."

"Relena," the somewhat plump lady beamed. "I've been anxiously waiting to meet the both of you!" she told them frankly. "By the way, my name is Gael, and Terry here is my husband."

"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance," Relena curtsied delicately, causing Gael to giggle and state that there was no need for formality.

While her spouse was laid back, Gael was modest and proper. The size of her bank account did not affect her one bit and she still kept a keen eye on things. She looked at the party as another one of her husband's many achievements. That they adored each other was displayed when they chatted amiably.

"Ms. Relena, do you mind if I take Heero away for a minute? I promise I'll be back before bedtime," Terry said good-humoredly.

"Not at all," she answered, watching the men chat as they walked away.

Gael leaned closer to her and whispered, "Pardon me for saying this, dearie, but Heero is so damn good-looking! I mean, I love my Terry to death, but any woman would be blind not to see that!" She giggled lightly. "As a matter of fact, I really think it's time Heero got tied down to earth. It's time he got settled. Terry says I'm naïve, but I'm so happily married I don't see why anyone can go through life living alone. I absolutely can't stand the isolation."

Relena smiled admiringly at the honesty in her words, then started when Gael clamped her hand over her own mouth, "Oh, there I go again, me and my big mouth." She reached over and patted Relena's hand warmly as if she were a relative of hers, "I'm sorry, dear, Terry told me about how the engagement between you and Randen had been broken off. Terry warns me about opening my big yap. Don't take it the wrong way, Relena."

The senior woman's apology was so earnest that Relena could not take offense, "It's all right. Living by yourself isn't so bad once you get used to it."

Gael's brow arched expressively, "That may be, but from the way Heero had been looking at you back there, I would say your solitary days would be over pretty soon." Gael paused at the young lady's astonishment before continuing, "For the longest time, I've been telling that boy, 'One day a woman is going to come around and knock the breath out of you'. And if you don't mind me saying so, honey, you appear to be the most likely candidate for it."

Her companion's mouth gaped open at her frank statement and was about to speak when a red-haired lady sauntered up front of Gael. Silently, Relena watched the nameless figure converse with the older woman. There was something about that lady …

"Lovely as always, Cheryl."

"Have a good evening, Mrs. Collington."

As Cheryl passed by, Relena felt herself go rigid when the unknown lady sent a leer her way. It confused her immensely why the girl would give her such a despised look when they have never met before.

The golden-haired femme eyed the red dress she wore and came off with the idea that the woman was immodest. Realization clicked when the VP remembered the dame she had seen earlier groping Heero who had the exact same red dress. So the hootchie had a name, and it was Cheryl.

After the woman had left, Gael heaved a sigh, "When that girl came up to me I almost forgot her name! I was having the hardest time racking through my brain trying to figure it out. When she didn't look offended I felt completely relieved that I blurted out the right name."

"Cheryl?" Relena inquired.

Gael shrugged nonchalantly, "You knew, of course, that Heero was engaged to her."

Overwhelmed with shock, Relena shook her head and found her voice croak when she answered, "No." She cleared her throat and tried again, "I didn't know."

A hand came up with a slap against a cheek as Gael's cheerfulness collapsed, "Damn! Not again! Terry's going to go berserk! Berserk! It's a good thing he's not here otherwise he'd get into a full blown gasket about it." Her hand reached for Relena's and squeezed tightly, "My dear, they were engaged a couple of months ago. But then out of the blue, he told us it was off, just like that." She snapped her fingers with emphasis.

"I don't recall seeing anything about it in the news though," Relena questioned, glad that her voice did not squeak from the tightening of the muscles in her throat.

"No, it was one of those brief affairs that died before it even started." She leaned closer to the younger woman, "Between you and me, I'm glad Heero is not taken by her. A man like that shouldn't go to waste."

The information Gael had been saying to her was like a volcanic eruption in her mind. Relena was shocked, to say the least, upon hearing that Heero had been with Cheryl, and engaged to her at that.

A titter of laughter snapped her thoughts away as she saw both Heero and Terry approach them. Smiling, Terry rushed back to his wife and gave her a peck on the lips, apologizing profusely to keep her and Relena waiting. She felt Heero come near her side.

Jollity sparkled in Terry's eyes, "Well, we must get going, Gael wants her dinner." He shook both Heero's and Relena's hand, giving Heero a private wink.

His wife gave airy kisses to the two, "You take care now, dearies." Gael engulfed Relena in a warm embrace and whispered secretly into her ear, "Go get him, girl." Relena felt her face redden from the urging encouragement.

The elderly couple bid farewell to them and departed to the diner, leaving Heero and Relena alone once more. The memory of the kiss they shared earlier took its chance to fill Relena's head. Their kiss, it was hard to tell whether it meant something or it was a spur of the moment type thing. She wondered what status their relationship was as of now, and the matter concerning Cheryl puzzled her even more. The usually composed and focused VP found herself lost at an end.

"We should head over to the diner, too." Heero suggested.

Relena glanced at the man that made every woman fawn. He certainly was quite a sight, looking very distinguished in the navy suit. His soft, blue silk shirt brought out the intense colors of his eyes, and the amber tie around his neck topped it all off. Gael must be out of her mind. Heero could have his pick of any flower in the field. Brushing aside Gael's words, she nodded in agreement and allowed him to lead her to the diner.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Rel! Heero! Over here!" Duo waved his hand in the air, directing them over.

Sauntering to them, Relena took note that only appetizers were served and the main course had yet to arrive. With six seats around the oval shaped table, Duo and Hilde sat across from one another. At the far end seated Trowa, whose lips quirked into a small smile. Across from him was a man who was not yet familiar to her. It appeared their seats were claimed in the middle.

Hilde patted the empty seat next to her, "Talk about perfect timing." She waited for Relena to settle into her chair before continuing, "Lucky for you, your best friend here ordered your meal." At the honey blonde's doubtful look, she laughed, "I've known you since forever, Rel, I think you can trust me with picking out your taste."

"Dare I recall a certain cheesecake?" She shifted in her chair to accustom her long gown.

The pixie-haired woman waved her hand to reason, "At least I learned that you didn't like blueberries."

The young man across from Trowa spoke, "Ms. Relena Darlian, I do believe we haven't been properly introduced yet." He rose from his chair to greet her with a handshake, "Quatre Raberba Winner." His blue eyes shone noticeably, his face giving the air of kindheartedness. "Good friends with Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Yuy, and inheritor of Winner Enterprises."

She took a quick look up at Duo and Heero, who were engaged in conversation, and smiled at the blonde. "Charmed, Mr. Winner."

"Just Quatre, please."

"Only if you call me Relena."

"Deal."

He was such a gentleman. Relena admired that his wealth and success had not broken down his young spirit. She knew Quatre was known for his all-round kindness, but under that soft exterior was a fighter who would not let anyone take advantage of him.

Realizing that she had been thirsty for quite some time now, she picked up a glass of iced-tea and quenched her throat. Trowa propped an elbow on the table and leaned against it, "Care to share anything interesting?"

She almost choked on her drink. 'Did he know what happened between her and Heero?' Relena lowered the glass down. 'Not gonna take any chances of appearing suspicious.' "Depends what you mean."

"Let's start off with your being here."

'Maybe he didn't know,' she sighed in relief. "I'm here to help ZW make an advertisement for the plaza you are in right now," Relena tilted her head at him, causing her diamond choker to shimmer under the candlelight. "Why so interested?"

The tall man merely shrugged. "No reason. How are you, anyway?"

At his second question, she raised a brow, "Curiosity killed the cat."

"Answers brought it back."

"So you say," she laughed softly. "Explain why I happened to bump into you tonight."

"As a matter of fact, I'm here on business duty."

It was her turn to be inquisitive, "Meeting?"

He nodded, "I am here on behalf of Winner Enterprises for TMG Corporations. Their new project involves the building of new aircraft. Both companies are working as a joint force on the development."

Trowa had always been straightforward, never one to beat around the bush. She felt secure around him and he was one of the few people she deemed trustworthy. Through their whole friendship, he was able to understand her without her having to say much. When others fled, he fully respected and accepted her true self. Now he was working as an advisor or a consultant for companies. He would review their contracts between one company to another and offer propositions in favor of his clients.

She glanced at Quatre's way, a gentle smile came from the young man, "Quatre, I am eager to see your new line of aircraft! It might help ease my hesitation through air travel."

He chuckled, "We try our best, Ms. Relena."

"With the ambition he has, Quatre would put an end to turbulence if he could."

"If only," the blonde replied with light sarcasm.

Relena smiled inwardly, the two had no doubt formed a bond of friendship as well. She was happy for Trowa, that he had found someone that understood him on the same level. It was rare that Trowa found anyone that comprehended his ways.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She sensed slight movement by her side. Before the Dreask representative had the chance to do anything, Heero stepped in front of her and lifted her hand, "Relena," he squeezed it gently as he motioned her towards the dance floor. She followed enthusiastically.

They joined the ongoing waltz; magically they moved with the music. The melodic strains of the orchestra had been enticing her for quite a while. Even though she didn't have much opportunity to, she admitted she loved to dance. The way the melody soothed her nerves and the rhythmic steps of the dance was spellbinding.

A soft gasp escaped her lips when Heero pulled their bodies closer together. He felt her body tense a bit before relaxing slowly. His hand rested against her waist was itching to stroke the fair skin her dress allowed to expose. Instead, he settled by caressing the small hand he held.

From their close contact, she hoped he couldn't feel the wild, erratic beat of her heart. Her heels gave her enough added height so her cheek came below his jaw line. Unconsciously, her eyelids shut while her senses enhanced to capture her surroundings. She could smell Heero's scent, masculine and strong. She reveled in the feeling of his rough hand against her smooth one. Her blood burned like an untamed blaze and tingles ran down her spine. She had forgotten how something as simple as a touch from him sent her soaring to the high heavens.

Despite the future consequences she would meet of this unpredicted event, let alone the re-encounter of the past, she wanted to savor the occasion as it was meant to be. He was here, and so was she, and that was what counted.

As soon as another song started, Relena was claimed by a marketing executive whom she met before as an affiliate for one of her clients. She was laughing at one of his anecdotes when she glimpsed over at Heero and saw him dancing with none other than Cheryl. The laughter immediately ceased in her throat as her breath got trapped in. A knife of envy ripped through her. She did not know she possessed this kind of emotion towards Heero. Frequently she cast glances over to them, seeing Cheryl tilt her head back and laugh before giving Heero a kiss on the cheek. A growing sense of hatred at the red-head started to boil up inside of her. To hide her feelings, she chatted fluently with her dancing partner.

When the song ended, she hid her exasperation by shaking hands with other guests. Walking in a crowd of people, Relena decided to retreat to the diner.

Before she could reach the steps to the elevated area of the banquet, her arm was grasped. The strength could not be mistaken. Loathe for the woman he just danced with filled her so that she went still against his hold. She should be angry with him for not telling her about Cheryl, but she found herself unable to bring herself to it and smiled instead.

Heero placed his hand across the middle of her back, almost in a possessive manner. She could feel the warmth of his palm even through the fabric of her dress. She turned to face him and her breath held when her lips accidentally brushed against his jaw. Their sudden closeness took her unaware and immediately she moved her head away as she tried to suppress a rising blush.

She felt his hold on her loosen, and Relena found herself staring into the deepest blue she had ever seen. His eyes were filled with smugness. Apparently, he knew how he was affecting her. She feigned annoyance at his appearance. She tilted her chin up in mock defiance and walked out of his grasp. Heero hid a smirk.

They went off in search for the table reserved by their comrades.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She thanked Trowa for being such a gentleman by holding out her chair for her. Eyeing the basket of bread bits in front of her, she had been avoiding her hunger for too long. A type of seasoned sauce was set as a side dish for the bread.

Curiosity took hold of her and she dipped the morsel in and popped it into her mouth. Surprisingly, she found she liked it. Sensing that some of the sauce slicked along her lips, she instinctively darted her tongue out to lick off any substance. For a brief moment, she felt like a child again, sampling sweets in a candy store. It was times like these when she sorely missed her childhood past and reminisced of what could have been.

She blinked, forgetting that she was a matured woman now, who had a striking career and reputation. Not to mention she was having dinner with some of the world's most renowned men. She glanced up and saw Heero looking right back at her. In return, she smiled back casually, hoping that he didn't take note of the episode that she just displayed.

Waiters approached their table and they were served their main courses. Picking up the napkin, Relena removed the silver clasp that bound it and flattened the napkin unto her lap.

Relena watched the cover be lifted off her silver platter and looked at her meal skeptically. She grinned at Hilde's playful note of, "Told you so," and then glanced back at her plate of seafood delicacy.

Hilde got it right this time.

TBC…